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Your guide to the Aotea Virtual Challenge | The Long Run

16 Jan 2026

Aotea Virtual Challenge

 

Between 6am and 6pm on Friday, 23 January 2026, we’re aiming to gather as many people from our community as possible to take part in The Long Run and make a real difference. However, while the physical Long Run takes place in Christchurch, this virtual event enables global engagement for everyone, anywhere, to get involved between the 23rd and the 25th of January (48-hour challenge). 

Together, we want to walk or run 60,000 laps of Rugby and Malvern Parks and raise $300,000 for Kiwi kids diagnosed with cancer, making The Long Run the largest community fundraising event for the Child Cancer Foundation in New Zealand!

So, rally your friends, family, and colleagues, set your own goals, and join us in our Crusade with Heart for the Child Cancer Foundation.

 

 

How it works: 

 

 

Step 1: Register for the Aotea Virtual Challenge - most important step!

 Sign up via the registration link here. Once registered, you’ll receive confirmation and be ready to take part.

 

Sign up on raisely

 

 

Step 2: Download and Set Up Strava

If you don’t already have  Strava, start by:

  • Downloading the Strava app from the App Store or Google Play
  • Create a free account (or log in if you already have one)
  • Make sure you’re logged into the account you’ll be using for the challenge!

 

Step 3: Join the Challenge

Now join our Strava club designated for this event and RSVP to it using the links provided, or scan the QR code above to follow the Crusaders Strava, then scroll down to our clubs and you'll find The Long Run - Aotea Virtual Challenge there! Joining this club is essential to ensure that your activity is automatically tracked and counted for.

 

 

Step 4: Check Your Activity is Visible on Strava Settings

  • Ensure your activity privacy settings allow your activity to be seen in clubs, so they are public and not privately hidden.
  • Activities must be visible to everyone to be included in the leaderboard and tracked by us.

 

Step 5: Set Yourself a Goal

You can complete any distance that suits you, including 1km, 5km, 10km, or more. You can walk, run, or move at your own pace, at any time and place that works for you, just keep this in mind.

 

 

Step 4: Completing Your Activity During the Event Window

All activities must be completed within the 48-hour event window from the 23rd to the 25th of January.
You’re welcome to complete multiple activities during this time — every kilometre logged counts.

 

 

Step 5: Track Your Activity on Strava

Now, when you go to compete, use Strava to track your activity (walking, running, etc.), when you’re ready to participate within the event window:

  • Open Strava
  • Hit Record and press you start
  • Complete your activity by hitting Pause, and then Finish
  • Title your workout as the Aotea Virtual Challenge (If you are participating as part of a team, make sure you add the team name in brackets at the end! This will help us identify your team and manually add your efforts to your team total and the overall Long Run goal) – Example below
  • Rate how the activity felt
  • Double-check that the Visibility is set to Everyone, and do not tick Mute Activity!
  • Hit Save once you’ve finished your workout

  

Then, as long as you’ve joined the Strava club, your activity/distance will automatically upload to The Long Run - Aotea Virtual Challenge Club.

 

 

Step 6: Contribute to the Long Run Goal

Every kilometre you log contributes as a lap toward our overall Long Run goal, helping support the Child Cancer Foundation. The more you move, the greater the collective impact.

 

Step 7: Check Your Progress

Head back to the club page on Strava to track your progress and see how others who are participating in the challenge are doing on the activities page.

 

 

Step 8: Stay Engaged

Make sure you document your experience throughout the challenge, as we would love to see it! After completing the challenge, share your journey through the upload link below!

  • Keep an eye out for updates, encouragement, and reminders via email and social media
  • Share your progress and get involved using the challenge hashtag #TheLongRunAoteaVirtualChallenge

 

On the day, upload photos and videos below and be a part of the fun

 

If you haven't used Strava and don't want to download another app, that's okay! Just upload photos and screenshots to show your effort, including the distance and date, to the upload button below.  

 

Upload here